Chorus supports its locked-down musicians

The Chorus continues to pay its three professionals during these strange times, which are proving to be very difficult for professional musicians, many of whom are self employed. In return for the continued payments, the three musicians are working for the Chorus in different ways.

For example, Music Director Darius Battiwalla is composing a new Christmas carol, and writing brass arrangements for the sections of Messiah that don’t currently have them. This will enable the Chorus to sing more of Handel’s work when it joins with Black Dyke Band in the re-scheduling of the brass concert which was postponed due to the coronavirus.

“We are pleased to be able to support our three professionals by commissioning alternative work from them at this time” said Chorus Chair Paul Henstridge. ” We are all missing live rehearsals, but at least we will gain a lasting positive out of this very difficult situation”.

Accompanist Rachel Fright and Voice Coach Maggie McDonald are working together to digitise Maggie’s vocal exercises, which are sent to the Chorus to enable them to continue to keep their voices in trim during the lock-down.

Thank you to everyone from around the world for watching Jonathan's Town Hall Organ Concert today from the stunning Rochdale Town Hall. @RochdaleCouncil You can watch again here: https://youtu.be/0bEnrPci2tM

Sheffielders! I've come across a couple of nice ways to support other Sheffielders at the moment... face masks made by a local maker and sold by a local business, with 50% of profits going to the Samaritans https://sheffieldmakershuntersbar.com/collections/idle-sew-and-sew-face-masks #sheffield #sheffieldissuper

‘What has happened, in the midst of the tragedy & uncertainty of recent weeks, is a classic case of correlation being mistaken for causation; of hastily drawn opinions becoming established fact; of an industry being silenced on a false premise.’ https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/5-june/comment/opinion/it-is-time-to-sing-again

We are a living musical tradition that is almost 1,000 years old & proud to be part of the #EnglishChoralTradition. We should be hopeful for its future, as Psalm 46 reminds us, but prepared to positively and proactively protect it for generations to come
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sing-it-out-will-no-one-in-government-stand-up-for-british-choirs-7nb28sl0q